A/N: Hey, gang! I hope you all had a wonderful week. Currently working my tail off in writing out Chapter 18, and even started working on a Halloween fic. Hopefully, I will have the story finished by the end of the year. That's my goal, at least.

Anyway, there is some OOC-ness and fluff in the first half of this chapter. There are also little clues about what happened with Ruth's father. Everything will possibly come into perspective for Ruth in the following chapter. After that, who knows where it will go. Well, only I will. ;)

Enjoy the read!

09/16/2020 UPDATE: I went through and did a couple of fixes.

Sometime in August

Everything changed on a dime that night.

His fondness for Ruth came at him full force like a punch to the gut. The memory of Ruth's distress haunts his mind even after the attack on Jonathan. He was afraid of losing Ruth. Pennywise never thought he would feel fear towards a human girl. Ruth did something he didn't know was possible. Ruth weaved herself into his heart. He craves her presence now, desired it really, and became dependent. He can't imagine a day without her now.

There were a few nights after the Birthday Fiasco where Pennywise went into Ruth's room and just held her. It gave him comfort that she was still there. Ruth didn't mind it, of course. She usually falls asleep in his arms because of his closeness. Ruth is his first and only companion anyway.

Ever since then, Pennywise started to see Ruth in a different light. According to him, he is Ruth's best friend. Something she has admitted multiple times. Although there are occasions where Pennywise treats her like a big brother would. She may not be similar to him in species, except, if she were his kind, Ruth would probably be a little sister in his eyes. There is a likeness between him and her. They both feed on fear but in different aspects. Pennywise scares his victims for a meal while Ruth eats up the humor behind the children's gullibility and horrific forms. It fascinates him on how unaffected she is by his kills. She doesn't even shy away whenever Pennywise feasts on an arm or a leg. Hell, there were a few occasions where Ruth lured his victims to an isolated spot for him.

Ruth's assistance proved her perspective on life now changed her for the worse. Ruth is not who she used to be. Granted, she laughs and smiles still but not very often. Ruth now sees death as a sacrifice for him to live. She mirrors his mannerisms and bits of his personality. Ruth is turning into a person he doesn't recognize. Pennywise is not sure if he should like this change or be concerned about it. He wonders, though, if it has anything to do with the new title Ruth obtained overnight after Jordan and Jonathan's deaths.

She is no longer known as The Bastard Kid, the disease, or the least common nickname, The Unwanted Child. Pennywise found that out from Ruth. It hurt to know how much of a lie that is. She is wanted. Mike and Stan want her as their friend. Pennywise wants Ruth to be cherished for who she really is. Why? He doesn't have a clue. Ruth is referred to as Rutherford's Daughter now. While it is a step up from the horrid nicknames, this one seemed to harden Ruth's heart further. Pennywise believes he understands why. He'll talk to her about it shortly. For now, they have a task.

Sniff, sniff, sniff, sniff

Pennywise is on all fours, searching the ground. He glances up, determining his location for the fifth time this morning. He inwardly frowns, dipping his head low again.

Sniff, sniff, sniff

Hmm, he paused briefly then inhaled deeply. Pennywise pulls back, sneezing oddly.

Even in this form, I'm susceptible to sneezing. It's irritating!

"Prosit," Ruth's voice sounds nearby.

He turns his attention on Ruth, who is several feet away, searching the ground with him. Pennywise couldn't respond, well more like can't when he's currently a Basset Hound.

Thanks, I guess, he thinks to himself, then continues sniffing the dirt.

Despite not wanting to be seen, Pennywise insisted Ruth come with him searching for Henry's pocketknife. The only reason why he wants her with him is for Ruth to get out of the house. For the last week now, Ruth has been unusually quiet and stone-faced. Everything he usually does to put a smile on her face rolls off. He hates her silence, Ruth probably does, too. Pennywise can only assume it has something to do with Henry making an advance on her. After that, Ruth became this zombie person.

He glances back at her, watching Ruth bend at the hip. She stretches out while brushing her hand along the ground. Ruth's movements elongated her back and showed off the toned muscles in her arms and shoulders. Pennywise notes a slight wince in her arm. He saw her exercising yesterday and apparently overwhelmed them.

"You're staring again," her voice seemingly miles away.

Pennywise blinks, remaining to stare. He's been doing it a lot lately. Despite her altered personality, Ruth continues to develop into early womanhood. She no longer looks frail. Ruth is still petite but is much healthier and filled out in some areas. Her hair has grown as it fell past her shoulders and is in softer, looser waves. Ruth even grew an inch but not enough to stand taller than him. She is now the same height as Stanley. Pennywise is sure the boy will be a stuttering mess if he saw Ruth now. She is absolutely alluring, especially when the sun is beaming down on her through the trees.

He sees her look in his direction, lightly frowning. It dawned on Pennywise that he stared much longer than he should have. He snaps his gaze off Ruth to continue sniffing the ground.

What in the bloody hell is wrong with me?

Pennywise will readily admit, there are other occasions where he doesn't see Ruth as a pestering sister. Seconds ago is a perfect example. The child, ahem teenager, has an air about her that draws anyone in, creatures especially. Ruth's natural beauty is captivating. Pennywise compares her to Medusa. Not the turn to stone sort of thing. If you look into her eyes, which are a dazzling golden hazel today with her lavender blouse, you are frozen in a stunned stupor. That was him seconds ago.

He can feel her eyes on him as Pennywise continued to sniff the dirt. Pennywise refused to glance over at her this time.

I do not see you, he insisted to himself.

"You know, for an inter-dimensional shapeshifting creature thing, I would have thought you would have other forms of powers. You know, like telekinesis or even telepathic abilities. Oh, wait, duh, you can do that," Ruth begun with little interest.

Pennywise inwardly grins, glancing over his shoulder at her.

"I do actually," Pennywise's voice fills her mind.

He heard Ruth stop her search to glance over at him. "Whoa, dude, you can actually do that?"

Pennywise heard it then, excitement. He piqued her interest.

"That and many other things," he started, sniffing the ground still.

"Well, if you can move objects, why won't you levitate, Mullet Brain's pocketknife? It would beat searching for it like a couple of bloodhounds."

"Hey," Pennywise groans with a pout, "and I'm a Basset Hound."

"Oh, oops, sorry, Basset Hound," she corrects.

He inwardly rolls his eyes, "It would get you of the dark and gloomy house, Ruth. You're not yourself."

Ruth doesn't answer, which only made Pennywise glance at her. "Come on now, talk to me, Ruth. What's going on?"

He hears Ruth sigh but remained silent for a moment. "Why are we looking for Bowers pocketknife anyway? He's already a loose cannon. From what Reggie told me, Mullet Brain is losing his sanity because his abusive father would kill him if he found out Henry lost it."

Pennywise groans, growing impatient. Ruth is avoiding the question, and he is not exactly pleased either. He observed her, trying to figure out what he could do to get Ruth out of this funk. Pennywise about had it anyway. Although he feels terrible. The incident with Henry Bowers left Ruth with memories from when Jonathan sexually abused her. He doesn't doubt it also triggered the time when the filthy swine raped her. Ruth may have been unconscious at the time, but it physically left an imprint.

He frowns, debating. Maybe they shouldn't be looking for it after all. Returning it to Henry would make the boy do something irrational. He could kill his father with the damn blade. Henry may even take it further in slaughtering his buddies. His deeds would leave Ruth vulnerable. Pennywise doesn't need that to happen. Simultaneously, though, they could give the idiot one last chance to make things right. Will Pennywise risk it, though?

Pennywise returns his gaze on Ruth, who resumed searching for the pocketknife. No, he doesn't want to risk it. Pennywise promised a year, and he's determined to give Ruth the best. She deserves it. Especially when the cancers are out of the picture now. Ruth needs an additional person to start shining more light in her world. Pennywise knows just the person, too.

He just needs to get her out of this funk. It's is bringing him down. He knows something is wrong, and he's going to get it out of her one way or another. A metaphorical lightbulb flicked in his brain. Pennywise inwardly grins devilishly, hunkers low, and crept through the grass. He watched her with an excited glint, ready to pounce.

Ruth sat up slightly from her hunched self when Pennywise pounced. He jumps and lands squarely on her back. Ruth yelps in surprise, tumbling forward with an audible grunt.

"Pen," Ruth starts before squealing slightly.

The Basset Hound Pennywise climbs over Ruth. He attacks her with his large, long tongue. He licks at her ears and neck, getting rewarded with giggles. Pennywise grins victoriously while continuing to slobber. She's trying to fight him, but he won't let her shove him away.

"Pen," she breathes, laughing. "Stop it that tickles," Ruth chortles, grinning brightly while trying to avoid his big tongue.

"Nope!"

He dives, licking at her chin, face, behind the ears, and neck. Pennywise doesn't care if he covers her with salvia; he wants to see Ruth's beautiful smile. He misses it.

"Pen," Ruth chuckles.

He saw from the corner of his eye Ruth's brighter than the sun smile. Pennywise even noted the dimples. Ruth's bright and joyful mirth rings in his ears then. He still won't stop, though.

"Pen, come on now," she continues to laugh, trying to shove him off. "That tickles."

"Say the magic word!"

Ruth squirms, rolling her shoulder to keep him from licking at her neck. "You didn't even establish one!"

"I'm thinking of it!"

His tongue tickles at her neck and jaw, whining happily.

"Alright, okay," Ruth caves, giggling still. "I'm smiling, I'm smiling!"

She laughs lightly when Pennywise finally stopped. He settled close and laid his chin on her throat while Ruth hugged his neck. She is breathing heavily, but Pennywise got her to smile brightly. He could care less about the pocketknife now. All that matters is being here for Ruth. He's the only one she's got.

Ruth heaves a sigh, staring up at the trees. Her smile never falters.

"There she is," Pennywise says out loud.

He makes a groaning whine, his tail wagging fiercely as Ruth scratched at the top of his head and rubbed his ears. Pennywise crosses his eyes, relishing in the sensation.

"Ooh, that feels good," Pennywise murmurs in delight.

"Would you like a belly rub, too?" She jokes with a smirk.

He inwardly frowns at the thought. "No."

Ruth playfully pouts, groaning. "You're no fun."

"I prefer to keep my dignity intact, irritant," Pennywise snips half-heartedly.

She hums, turning a little to lie on her side. Ruth hugs him still, which Pennywise doesn't mind a bit. They settled like this and enjoyed the silence between them. It was interrupted after a few moments, though.

"Thanks, Pen," Ruth began softly, smiling still. "I needed that."

"I know. I've been trying to get you to smile for a week now."

"I know, and I'm sorry I've been worrying you about me. Henry attacking me like he did had come at a wrong time."

Pennywise glances up at her, who is frowning. "What's wrong, Ruth?"

Ruth sighs heavily, "His actions may have sprung nasty memories from when the swine was around, but I had a dream about my father that night."

He stiffens, snapping his gaze on her. "Why didn't you say anything?"

"I didn't want to talk about it then. Plus, I was trying to make sense of it. What I find strange is that I don't even know what my father looks like. All I saw was a decayed face."

Pennywise pauses, considering something. "He looked a lot like you, Ruth."

"I know my mother told me the same thing. Why did you take on his form that night?"

With a hard sigh, Pennywise pulls away. If they're going to talk about her father, he needs to be in a form other than this. Pennywise reverts to his clown form. The thought of transforming into someone else sprung into his mind but thought the better of it. He situates himself behind Ruth from which she laid. Pennywise watches her from above as she stared up at him.

"Are you sure you want to know?" He questions, frowning.

He searches Ruth's gaze, she is unsure still.

"Not really, no," Ruth answers.

"You're afraid, aren't you?"

She gulps, "a little."

"Why?"

"I don't know what to expect. I've gone without knowing who my real father is for fourteen years. What if he," Ruth doesn't continue when Pennywise talks over her.

"What ifs are possibilities, not guarantees," Pennywise starts, watching Ruth. "My ability to shapeshift and create illusions is for a reason. It exploits your deepest fears. Rather it's a fear of spiders, fictional horror characters, or freaking puppies, which is absurd. Everyone is afraid of something. Your fame-hungry, deceitful woman that was your mother was terrified of her past coming back to haunt her. The crimes she committed had gone unnoticed since you were born."

Ruth stared at him from below, confliction in her gaze. "I don't know what to think about her anymore. She, in a way, did save me."

"Yeah, at the last minute when the swine was going to touch you again."

"And yet you intervened when he had both mom and me in his clutch."

He refused to say anything then.

"She told me I looked a lot like my father. If I reminded Jordan of him, then why did she keep me?"

Pennywise screws his lips, "Hard to tell."

She blinks, turning her gaze off him to stare off into the grass.

"I know this," he reaches down and gently nudges her chin to look at him. "Your father loved you, Ruth."

Her brows furrow, frowning slightly. Ruth goes to question, but Pennywise interjects.

"I've taken on a lot of forms in my lifetime, Ruth. You know I can detect emotions and memories, even plant thoughts into an individual's brain. When I was in that form, I felt the emotions of a dying man. I could even see it happening."

Her eyes widen slightly, "Is that normal for you?"

"No, I never felt anything like that before. Your father had so much anger and fear, yet he was so sad."

Ruth stares at him for a second then sat up from which she laid. "Sad? Why?"

Pennywise frowns, "Because he was calling out for you, Ruth. Even while he laid getting bludgeoned to death, all he wanted was his daughter."

She pauses, "All my father wanted was me?"

"Love," he pauses, wrinkling his nose slightly. "It is a powerful emotion to feel, Ruth. It trumps over fear and hate. Your father's love for you was strong, but so was the rage and hatred he felt towards Jordan for lying about something. From what I gathered from bits and pieces of Rutherford's memories, Jordan took you away from him, so neither of you could experience happiness."

Ruth stares at him, "I don't know what love should feel like. I have a general idea, but I'm not sure if I will ever truly feel loved."

He glares at her, opting to not make a remark. Pennywise doesn't know what it's like and will probably never understand it either. He doesn't care to know. It weakens him. Just because he's fond of Ruth doesn't mean Pennywise loves her in some fashion, right?

"When you were in his form, you said something I still don't quite understand. Jordan lied about something, yet he dies. What did she lie about?"

"I'm not sure what the woman lied about. I can only assume she broke a promise to him."

Ruth sat there for a moment, her eyes staring at his pompom buttons. He can see the gears turning in Ruth's mind. She's putting some pieces together.

"Ruth?"

She glances up at him, "I need to go back."

Pennywise bristles, "Absolutely not."

"I'm not asking you to take me there, Pen. I'm going there either way. I need to know the truth."

"Why are you so desperate to know the truth? What good would it do?"

Her jaw sets, and eyes go wild. "It will keep me from seeing my dead father every single night."

His heart plummets to his stomach. Why hasn't Ruth told me?

"I can't keep having these dreams of him and not know who or what he was like. All I see of my father is his decayed face and skull beaten in. He keeps screaming, "You lied," and I don't know what that means. I need to know. I can't sleep at night because of it. Why do you think I've requested you from staying with me this past week?"

This hurt. Pennywise knew Ruth was hiding something from him. He's kept to Ruth's request but discovering she's having nightmares of the form he took saddened him. Yet he is angered at Ruth for keeping him in the dark of what was going on.

"I'm sorry I didn't come talk to you about it sooner. I wanted to figure things out on my own, but apparently, I can't keep going alone. I didn't mean to hurt you."

He wanted to make a nasty remark but didn't have the heart to do so. Ruth is apologizing for making a mistake. Pennywise eyes Ruth for a moment, frowning deeply.

"Apology accepted," he starts, frowning still. "Did I frighten you in that form?"

"No, not at all," Ruth quickly answers. "It's more so the memory. I can't get it out of my head."

He screws his lips, staring her down. "If you want to know, then I won't stop you. But you would have to go alone. I want no part of it."

Pennywise momentarily shifts back in his basset hound form. He quickly walks away from Ruth to continue searching for Henry's pocketknife.

"What, why?"

"It's your business, not mine," he counters.

"But don't you want to understand the emotions you felt?"

"I do, but I'm not desperate to know, unlike you."

"Pen," Ruth pleaded.

"I'm sorry, Ruth, but I'm not accompanying you."

Pennywise fell silent then, leaving Ruth to watch him. He does glance at her, then returns to sniffing the ground. Ruth sighs from which she sat, eyeing him still.

"Do you know what could happen if I did go alone?" Ruth asks.

He stalls then, frowning. Please don't guilt-trip me.

"If I do go alone, chances of me being seen are extremely high. Two things will happen if it were to occur. One, I would be taken into custody for questioning. When they realize I murdered Jordan, I would either go into juvenile detention or be sent to a psychiatric ward. Most importantly, you will not fulfill your promise in staying with me for a year."

She got him there. Pennywise did promise her a year. He may not be able to give her forever like Ruth wished, but Pennywise can provide her with one. It's only been a month so far, and he has eleven more to go. Besides, if Pennywise sticks to his guns and alters his patterns just slightly, Halloween will be incredibly fun for Ruth and him. He already has grand plans for the national day of scares and candy eating. He grins excitedly at the thought.

Oh, such fun we will have, Pennywise thought to himself in anticipation.

Pennywise turns his sorrowful dog eyes on Ruth. She already stood from her spot and is a reasonable distance ahead of him now.

"Whoa, whoa, wait up, Red! I'm coming! I don't think I told you about the additional scares I did onto the Irritating Seven. I'll start with Gray Water and the Paul Bunyan Statue, haha."

He rushed to catch up with Ruth, who had stopped in her tracks. Pennywise went as far as he could on the short legs of his dog form, panting. He paused briefly, considering switching back into his favorite clown persona. Instead, the still kind-hearted child, Ruth, gently scooped him into her arms. He inwardly frowned at being held like a babe but won't complain. She carried him with her signature fond and bright grin on her lips.

"I'm not going to let you run after me in your current form, Penny. Go on now, tell me about those horrifying scares of yours."

Pennywise did just that. He told Ruth about all of them, which he got her to joyfully laugh. Ruth is back to her usual self now. Pennywise is glad, too.

Ruth was right. When she and Pennywise came to the busy Main Street, she would be seen. It's undoubtedly busy for a Wednesday morning. Pennywise's ability to go invisible stretched beyond that. He made it so no one will see him or Ruth. Pennywise trots down the sidewalk, Ruth following closely behind. She kept her eyes open for the possibility of someone watching her. Thankfully, no one has.

She breathes heavily, struggling in keeping up with Pennywise. He's moving much too quickly. Ruth understands he's concentrating on concealing her, but to jog out of town is exhausting Ruth.

"Pen, you need to slow down a little," Ruth calls lightly.

"Don't talk, just move. I need to concentrate here."

"I understand that but can," Ruth stops suddenly, catching sight of a missing person flyer.

She stares at it for a long moment, her gaze hardening each passing second. It's a photo of her. Ruth is not smiling in the picture but frowning deeply. How the police found a picture of Ruth is beyond her. It's one that Ruth hates with a passion. Her hair is short and messy, plus she has a bruise at her left lip. Tears started to form in the corners of her eyes. The memory of how she got that mark replayed like a filter. She breathes heavily, reading the big, bold letters, "Notable Local Artist Rutherford Greyson the Third Daughter's Ruth Greyson," and "Missing."

With a shuddering breath, Ruth gulps tightly.

"Hey," Pennywise calls to her softly.

She doesn't look down at him, just remained to stare at the horrid photo.

"I know we have yet to discuss this," he pauses to find the best term.

"Abomination," Ruth replies through clenched.

Pennywise sighs heavily, watching Ruth sadly.

"Eyesore would be a less harsh term, but yeah. Explain to me how you feel about it."

She was silent for a second, fighting to keep calm.

"Mixed emotions. I'm glad this town finally saw through the lies my mother spread about me. I'm even relieved they rejoiced over you, slaughtering the swine. You're getting praise because of it. So, I'm ecstatic you're getting acknowledgment, even though they believe you're human. The authorities ruled me out as Jonathan's murderer. I wouldn't have been able to do it alone. Which, I never got to sincerely thank you for doing that marvelous deed. You're my hero, Pen."

Pennywise grins with immense pride. Anything for you, my dear friend. I enjoyed every bit of gutting the worthless, insolent swine. I could have done without eating pieces of him. Yuck!

"And yet, I'm angry."

He glances up at her, finding her furious gaze still eyeing the missing child flyer.

"Overnight, I went from being scorned as a bastard child to cherished because my father was a notable figure here in Derry. It makes me sick at how people are so quick to change their opinions. I don't want a sobriquet for people to use when they don't know me. Why can't they see me for who I am? I just want to be accepted as Ruth. Is that so much to ask?"

Pennywise stares at her, sighing heavily again.

"No, it's not. I understand completely. Some titles are best left out while others make you stand apart from the millions of how exceptional you are."

Ruth blinks, then glances down at him. She wanted to say something, but someone calls out to her.

"Ruth?"

Both Pennywise and Ruth froze.

Oh, shit, and Shinola!

"Shee-it! Way to go, Freckles! You made lose my con," He doesn't finish when they called out to Ruth again.

"Ruth, is that really you?"